CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF SANDY DISASTER RELIEF GRANTS
FOR HISTORIC PROPERTIES
GRANT FUNDING FOR HISTORIC SITES DAMAGED BY SUPERSTORM SANDY

(14/P54) TRENTON – The Christie Administration today announced that Sandy Disaster Relief Grants for Historic Properties are now available to fund the preservation, stabilization, rehabilitation and repair of New Jersey’s historic places. Approximately $8 million in federal funding has been provided by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service for Sandy-impacted properties that are either listed in the National Register of Historic Places or identified as eligible for this listing.

Expressions of Interest are being accepted until June 30, 2014, from non-profit organizations, county or municipal government, and places of public accommodation.

“It is vitally important to preserve our state’s history, and to restore and protect important links to the past that were damaged by Superstorm Sandy so that future generations will be able to enjoy and treasure them as well,’’ said New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin, whose agency oversees the State Historic Preservation Office. “Sustaining our state’s heritage and architectural legend improves the quality of life for all residents of New Jersey,’’ added Commissioner Martin.
 
Sandy Disaster Relief Grants for Historic Properties will fund up to $500,000 to repair historic and archaeological resources that were impacted by Superstorm Sandy. Only storm-related damage is eligible for grant assistance.

To qualify for the grants, a property must be listed or determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. This includes individually listed properties as well as those contributing to a historic district. All repairs must be completed consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

Guidelines and applications are available at the Sandy Disaster Relief Grants for Historic Properties website at www.njht.org/resources/sandy. Completed applications will be used to determine if the property is eligible for funding and if the project meets the guidelines. Grant funds are paid to grantees on a reimbursement basis according to the progress of completed work and approval of all work by program staff.

No match is required for these grant funds. The funds can only be used for pre-approved, eligible non-construction and construction activities. Grants will be awarded based on funding availability, scoring criteria and a review by program staff and an Evaluation Committee.  

The DEP’s State Historic Preservation Office is partnering with the New Jersey Historic Trust, which is an affiliated agency of the state Department of Community Affairs, to administer the Sandy Disaster Relief Grants for Historic Properties. 

The State Historic Preservation Office’s mission is to assist the residents of New Jersey in identifying, preserving, protecting and sustaining New Jersey’s historic and archaeological resources through the implementation of the State’s historic preservation program.

The New Jersey Historic Trust’s mission is to advance historic preservation in New Jersey for the benefit of future generations through education, stewardship and financial investment programs that save our heritage and strengthen our communities.